Your next car could be a hybrid! | Podcast

This weekend on the evo India podcast we are digging deep into everything you might want to know about hybrids. Where did the story start? Was the Indian government really ahead of its time in its introduction of the FAME policy? Why was it short-lived? What’s the scene like and why the immediate future is going to be all about the hybrid car. All these, and answers to more.

We start at the beginning with a quick run through of a 20-year map of how the Indian automotive market has shaped up. From being 70% petrol dominated in 2006 to the diesel domination of ten years ago to the rapid decline of diesel and the rise of alternatives, including EVs.

The plan was to transition to hybrids before a pure EV future but the Indian government jumped a step. The net result was the rise o EVs but incredibly, in spite of the E20 confusion and tax benefits, the EV market is still small and penetration remains in single digits. Plagued by inadequate charging infrastructure and strange norms in certain parts of the country. Despite hybrids now not only working at the bottom and middle of the value chain but also at the top with incredible performance cars.

So, if we don’t want a diesel but want low running costs and emissions (an Achilles’ heel in the diesel story) then incredibly enough CNG appears as a viable alternative. We wrap this up with a buyer’s guide that will hopefully help you decide. But before we pull the curtains we also take a look at the proposed CAFE III norms and what it means for the Indian automobile industry.

Agree or disagree with us? Let us know in the comments below.